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Arsenal are faltering again. Just when fans think they are back on their feet, the Gunners show how inconsistent they can be and draw games where they desperately need a win.
Arsenal drew 1-1 to Brentford, and now their lead in the Premier League table has been cut down to just four points, as Manchester City won a day before as well.
If a team with title aspirations playing this way in such a huge fixture, then they will inevitably get punished for it.
Arsenal knew that they had to win this game, and rather than playing with a chip on their shoulder, they dropped one of their worst performances of the season, and showed why there is still a lot of things left to learn for this young side.
There was no conviction going forward, which was the main problem. It has been the main problem for this team all season. Their defense, largely speaking, is fine at worst, all-time great at best, but the floor and ceiling for their attack is not nearly as high.
Arsenal's Premier League record in 2026 should ring alarm bells
They keep playing a very sluggish brand of football going forward, which stops them from getting things done and getting results in the bag.
In fact, their start to 2026 has been nothing short of abysmal. Out of their seven Premier League games, Arsenal have won three games, drawn three, and lost one.
For a mid-table team, or a team fighting for the Champions League that had a tough run in the first two months of the year, it would make sense.
But, for a team that is challenging for the Premier League title, that is nowhere near enough. Manchester City have faltered too, which is why they are still four points behind Arsenal, but realistically, any previous version of that team would have been at the top of the table by now.
That is the main difference between a team like Arsenal and, at least previously, any of Pep Guardiola's title-winning teams: they just figure out a way. Instead of taking one valuable point at a tough stadium, they force themselves to dig deep to get three.
That is something Arsenal need to learn. Obviously, winning these games and eventually winning titles would get them closer to having that confidence of being able to do things, but right now, Arteta needs to provide some inspiration and encouragement to this team, because they are faltering.